Resource for
Clubs
and
Individuals
Join The Fight and Help Save the Hobbies
Web Link to the MDHTALK Legislation and Regulations Metal Detecting Page
NEW
WWATS - Texas Treasure Show 2009 Keith Wills
The following eight - 10 minute You Tube videos represent Keith Wills presentation on the condition of the Metal Detecting Hobby and what can be done.
Video One, Video Two, Video Three, Video Four, Video Five, Video Six, Video Seven, Video Eight
Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs
Inc. (FMDAC)
FMDAC Website
FMDAC Facebook Page
The Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs Inc. (FMDAC) was organized in 1984 as a legislative and educational organization and incorporated, as a non-profit, non-commercial, non-partisan organization.
The FMDAC's Mission: The FMDAC is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and protection for the hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
The FMDAC's Purpose:
To unite, promote and encourage the establishment of metal detecting clubs.
To preserve the sport / hobby of recreational metal detecting and prospecting.
To make available to FMDAC clubs and Independent members information pertaining to the hobby and to keep members informed as to active legislation.
The FMDAC's Goal is to Educate and inform the public as to the merits of recreational metal detecting.
FMDAC
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Mark Schuessler, FMDAC President's Message January 2021
Hello Everyone.
The New Year is finally here. We can kiss 2020 good riddance. We probably should not actually kiss it as depending on where you are that may get you a ticket or arrested! I heard a good one that I want to pass on if you did not hear them. If you think 2020 was bad then wait until it turns 21 and starts drinking! I am really glad that is only a joke. Don’t how much more of this the country and families and businesses can take.
If you are in a state that allows the freedoms that we all (should) enjoy and the businesses are all open then you are lucky. Or actually you are just enjoying what this country represents. I myself reside in one that seems to more closely resemble the place this virus came from. Many businesses have closed their doors and many others are hurting bad. The sad part is that there is zero difference in the spread of the virus. In fact the “open” states are doing much better and their economies are not being destroyed.
If you have contracted the virus then I hope you made it through OK. Of the dozens I know or know of that have had it, many would not have known it other than getting tested. Zero symptoms. Another big chunk had just minor symptoms. A small percentage had flu like results to varying degrees. (That’s where I fall in.) Now I was the recipient of smell loss. Complete and total. Taste was pretty much there but no smeller. If this happens to you then here’s a little advice. DO NOT eat any leftovers from the fridge without having someone else check them. They will smell fine to you but could be a long way past their shelf life! The symptom may hang on for while even after you are back in the saddle so heed this warning. Not trying to make light of the virus as there are many who have had serious illness and even death. Our hearts and prayers go out to anyone and their families who have suffered in that manner.
With the winter upon many of us, just struck here on Christmas day, it is time to start cleaning, researching and displaying finds and cleaning and repairing equipment. And the most important part is researching for some new hunt sites. Now as I was not able to get out much this past year I have a few home sites that are waiting for me. One in particular came just before the virus stuff hit and another was located and permission gained through a relative recently.
There are also other paths to go down with hunt sites. The historical path! What I mean is look at some events that took place in your area and consider teaming up with the historical society to search them. Turn over the finds to them for display. You could even help make up displays for them. They will be able to help you gain permission and you will have a display at their museum with your name on it. Not only will that make YOU a part of history but it’s great publicity for the hobby. If you dig into the local history you may find a lot of small events/happenings that you could assist with saving an artifact or two for the historical record. These may be events that few even know of. I have several on my mind for future endeavors; a WW2 plane crash, a militia training site in a small town and a feud between 2 small (former) communities that erupted in a battle. There are opportunities out there if you look.
I want to thank outgoing secretary Frank Colletti for his service to the FMDAC. Frank was secretary for a long time. As we start the new year hopefully we can look forward to getting back to normal activities. Soon as we can we will get the target recovery course back on track. Along with that is a tentative northern chapter hunt. Tried it in 2020 but it got cancelled. Another reminder that memberships are now up for renewal. Send your dues to our treasurer Sue Race. All the info is available on the website at FMDAC.org.
A very Happy New Year to everyone!!
Mark Schuessler, FMDAC President
November 16, 2019
City of Savannah, Georgia ARCHAEOLOGY RESOURCE PROTECTION DRAFT ORDINANCE Press Release
April 17, 2018 Press Release
Hello to all members and non members. Please read the announcement below direct from the FMDAC President, Mark Schuessler
Target Recovery Certification Program
November 24, 2017 Press Release
April 28, 2017 FMDAC News Release
August 14, 2016 FMDAC Press Release
SAA Task Force on Professional Archaeologists, Avocational Archaeologists, & Artifact Collectors Web Link
September 07, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message Read Here
March 05, 2015 FMDAC Presidents Message 1st Qtr Select Here
November 13, 2014 FMDAC Presidents Message Fall 2014 Select Here
May 09, 2014 - Presidents Report on Facebook or View This PDF File
May 09, 2014 - FMDAC's Response to the Massachusetts Metal Detecting Issue Fackbook or View This PDF File
December 27, 2013 - Presidents Report on Facebook
August 24, 2013 - 2013 2nd Qtr President's Report
MDAW - Metal Detecting Association of Washington
MDAW Website
MDAW FaceBook
The Metal Detecting Association of Washington was started to promote, protect and preserve recreational metal detecting here, in the State of Washington. Some of the concerns related to detecting in this state are unique to the Pacific Northwest. As a group we strive to work with hobbyists, in clubs or not, who want to enjoy metal detecting, follow the rules set down about the hobby and in some cases help to change those rules. The MDAW works in cooperation with the Office of Historical and Archaeological Preservation of Washington State and Washington State Parks.
The MDAW is an active organization of metal detecting clubs and individuals throughout Washington State working to promote recreational metal detecting for the public.
A project being worked on at this time is trying to get state parks to open more areas within the designated state recreational lands to recreational metal detecting.
Having completed an educational workshop with staff from the archaeological preservation office of Washington State. We have what we feel is a good working relationship and are working to keep it that way.
On the following pages you will find many parks and other areas that may be open to metal detecting. Always make sure that an area is ok to detect.
Please read these links to the latest WA State Park rules.
Metal Detecting Maps Be sure you check maps and complete a metal detecting brochure.
County and city rules may vary. Please check with the individual parks departments.
Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs
The purpose of the TAMDC shall be to unite, promote, and encourage metal detecting clubs in Texas, through education and instruction in the recovery and preservation of historical facts, relics, and artifacts. It is the intent and charter of this association to develop and maintain a positive image for metal detectorists and their activities at local, state, and national levels through performance of selected community service projects and through adherence to the TAMDC code of ethics.
T.A.M.D.C. Website
T.A.M.D.C. FaceBook Page
The Historical Hearne-Gidden Home Coming Back to Life
From Houston to Ft. Worth, from Dallas to Austin, and all towns in between, twenty metal detectorists from the Texas Association of Metal Detecting Clubs (T.A.M.D.C.) converged on Kosse, TX on December 16th in partnership with the Kosse Heritage Society for a T.A.M.D.C. “GIVES BACK” Community Service Project. The purpose of the event was to help raise awareness and funds for Kosse Heritage Society’s, Hearne-Gidden Restoration Project, by recovering historical artifacts from the ground around the historical home. Read More
The Western Mining Alliance is the organization of
independent miners across the West. Since our inception in the small,
historic mining town of Laporte where we had three people, we have now grown
into a movement of thousands of miners. Based in Reno, Nevada, The Western
Mining Alliance is defending the rights of over 55,000 claim holders across
the West. Our objective is simple, to restore our Constitutional rights to
mine and to present science based evidence on the truth about mining.Western Mining Alliance Website
Western Mining Alliance Facebook Page
AMRA-American
Mining Rights Association is a 501 (c)(3) Non-profit Association and
was created by miners and public land users, for miners and public land
users to preserve and maintain their rights as they pertain to access to
their public lands and their rights to obtain the minerals on those lands.
We are not a gold club but rather an advocacy group.AMRA Website
AMRA FaceBook Page
January News Link
Get
the Latest News from these websites.
Gold Prospectors Association of America (GPAA)
- News on legal issues for the gold prospecting community.
Gold Prospectors Website
GPAA Facebook Page
January News Link
Prospecting
and Mining Journal
(IMCJ)- News on legal issues in the gold
prospecting community.
Prospecting and Mining Journal Website
IMCJ Facebook Page
December News Link
January Mining District News
Public Lands for the People - A 501(c)(3) Non-ProfitOrganization
Public Lands for the People Website
PLP Facebook Page
PLP was constructed for the purpose of representing all outdoor user groups and individuals that are interested in keeping public and private lands open to prospecting, mining, and outdoor recreation on a non-discriminatory basis! PLP assists groups to join forces to maintain the laws and rights of all citizens on public and private lands (Federal, State and City). PLP will assist with representation at public hearings of government agencies that are proposing limitations and restrictions on the lands that belong to the people. PLP DOES LITIGATE! We will file injunctions, when necessary, to prevent governmental agencies from discussing public issues behind closed doors and calling them “personnel meetings”. We will come to the aid of, and give individual attention to, persons or groups who are being harassed, intimidated or mislead by people in authority (in or out of uniform) who are attempting to enforce their own ideas or opinions of laws, rules or regulations, rather than the actual laws, rules or regulations, and what it actually means.
Dec 06, 2020 New Press Release
Oktoberfest is in the books and we are planning the next big event!
We really enjoyed meeting many of you at our recent Ocktoberfest outing in the historic Stringer Mining District near Randsburg CA. We were blessed perfect weather, great food and a fantastic location. We met old friends and made new ones. Folks who hadn’t seen each other in years enjoyed catching up. The kids’ metal detecting hunt was a big hit! There is nothing as pleasant to see as kids smiling, laughing and having a great time finding treasures. The parents enjoyed “helping” the kids out too!
Saturday night started with an amazing smoked BBQ dinner, topped off with yummy potluck deserts! After dinner, Clark Pearson our Legal Researcher gave a stellar performance at the campfire updating the group on all that PLP has been working on both locally and in Washington, DC.
All weekend there were prospecting tips and tricks shared with those who were interested in improving their gold recovery skills or just learning for the first time. There was a guided tour of a nearby small-scale placer mine as well which was very educational for all! There was some bragging about the gold that was found, but most prospectors were tight lipped about what they found at their ‘secret spot’!
Miner’s Keepers was there with some fantastic nuggets for sale. They are huge PLP supporters and we were honored they came out.
Coming Soon: Watch for the announcement for our next outing.
2021 is PLP’s 31st Anniversary and the 2021 Grand Raffle tickets are on sale NOW! They make great gifts or investments in supporting PLP. Raffle donations are still being accepted and will be mentioned in the monthly Mining Journal raffle ad.
December PLP Update by Scott Harn published in the Mining Journal Web Site
Read the Complete Press Release
September 01, 2020 PLP Press Release
We have put several documents in the hands of the correct people in Washington, DC, and are now just waiting to schedule conference calls or online meetings to address several issues, such as federal preemption, dredge permitting, access, and more.
In the meantime, I want to highlight some recent court cases won with the assistance of Public Lands for the People (PLP) taken from the PLP newsletter.
PLP Member Wins “No Addition” Argument in CA State Court
For the very first time in CA State court, a small miner has won the “no addition” argument—this time against the CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. Gold miner Michael Osterbrink, along with PLP’s expert testimony delivered by PLP’s legal researcher Clark Pearson, fought back a charge by the Sierra County District Attorney Mr. Osterbrink’s mining “had polluted state waters with materials that are deleterious to fish in violation of section 5650 of the CA Fish & Game code.”
Mr. Osterbrink was found not guilty of violating section 5650 of the CA Fish & Game code, which prohibits pollution of state waters with materials that are deleterious to fish and wildlife (count 2). PLP cannot understate the importance of this legal decision in our present battles with the political powers of the regulatory swamp. This is a really big deal!
So-called environmentalists in CA believe that miners are polluters—not true! There are no foreign substances added, a fact PLP has been touting for many years, and the court agreed. The court stated, “…I really think 5650, the intent of the legislature there is to deal with situations where a defendant has deposited something new, a foreign substance. Here, there doesn’t seem to be any dispute that this defendant did not add anything new. So I am going to find Mr. Osterbrink not guilty on count 2.”
You may recall back in 2015, PLP member John Godfrey also won the “no addition” argument in count 5 against the Forest Service. (See: www.publiclandsforthepeople.org/accomplishments/)
In the Godfrey case, the Forest Service even had a so-called expert lead engineer from the CA Water Board testify that what Godfrey had done amounted to pollution to no avail to the government. Godfrey won in federal court and now Osterbrink has won in CA state court. PLP had confidence that it was a solid argument that could be won, even in a California state court.
Osterbrink’s decision will go a long way in helping get suction dredging to legally return to California and other states. PLP once again successfully stood by its arguments that are successful when applied properly, even when others have waivered and compromised.
August 18, 2020 FOR 30 YEARS: PLP exists to "Represent and assist outdoor user groups and individuals interested in keeping public and private lands open to prospecting, mining and outdoor recreation through education, scientific data and legal means." Press Release
June 11, 2020 PLP Prospector Cross Training
March 17, 2020 PLP Press Release
December 23, 2019 PLP Press Release
November 01, 2019 PLP’s OCTOBER SURPRISE News Release!
July 22, 2019 PLP Press Release The 2019 Grand Raffle is in the history books! PLP is ramping up for its 30th year of working hard to preserve our rights.
July 03, 2019 PLP Grand Raffle Looming Ahead Press Relewase
June 18, 2019 PLP Press Release Newsletter The much-anticipated “Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals” has now been released by an interagency report.
04-30-19 Read the Complete News Release PLP has proposed an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) called “Critical Minerals: National Security Amendments to the NDAA”.
04-15-19 PLP 2019 Grand Raffle is underway! Get your tickets early!
December 19, 2018 PLP Newsletter
August 15, 2018 PLP News Release
July 30, 2018 PLP 2018 Grand Raffle Winners Press Release
June 15, 2018 PLP News Release
May 09, 2018 PLP Press Release
March 01, 2018 PLP News Release
January 14, 2018 PLP Press Release
December 16, 2017 PLP Press Release
December 01, 2017 PLP Press Release
October 20,17 PLP Press Rease
September 08, 2017 PLP News Release
July 12, 2017 PLP Press Release
June 26, 2017 PLP Grand Raffle Press Release
June 09, 2017 PLP News Release
April 09, 2017 PLP Press Release
March 28, 2017 PLP Press Release
February 07, 2017 PLP News Release
December 19, 2016 Latest News Press Release
November 16, 2016 PLP Press Release
November 08, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
August 17, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 24, 2016 PLP Press Release
July 20, 2016 Press Release
June 07, 2016 PLP Press Release
May 27, 2016 PLP News Release
March 18, 2016 PLP News Release
March 06, 2016 PLP Press Release
February 29, 2016 PLP Press Release Read More
January 21, 2016 PLP Press Release
January 19, 2016 Press Release
December 17, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 03, 2015 PLP Press Release Annual PLP Christmas Party December 17th
November 26, 2015 PLP Press Release
November 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
October 12, 2015 Feinstein Whitewater Public Meeting Details PLP News Release
September 03, 2105 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraise Press Release
August 13, 2015 PLP/MMAC Oktoberfest Fundraiser
August 10, 2015 PLP Request Joshua Tree National Park: Eagle Mountain Follow Up
August 02, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 23, 2015 PLP Press Release
July 06, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 27, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 24, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 12, 2015 PLP Press Release
June 10, 2015 PLP Press Release
May 28, 2015 PLP Latest News Complete Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP Miners Win Federal Preemption Press Release
May 08, 2015 PLP - Message from the Minerals and Mining Advisory Council (MMAC) Press Release
March 17, 2015 Cleveland National Forest has decided to close more roads PLP Press Release
March 03, 2015 MINERS DECLARE INDEPENDENCE-MMAC Press Release
February 23, 2015 We rolling out a new website PLP News Release & Request
January 21, 2015 A win for PLP is a win for the small scale mining community and all public land users. Read the Complete Press Release
January 14, 2015 PLP Press Release
December 29, 2014 Tribute to Jerry Hobbs Read the Complete Press Release
October 23, 2014 Three things in this press release PLP wants to inform you about. Press Release
October 07, 2014 Press Release The Oregon State House,
http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/allow-suction-dredge?source=s.icn.em.mt&r_by=11403933
January 01, 2014 Public Lands for the People marching towards VICTORY! YouTube Video